Wilful disobedience always meant "tears before bedtime" and the snivelling girl shuffled off to change into her pyjamas. When she reached the breakfast room, Step-Daddy's belt was waiting on the table in front of her, but it was soon lashing across the seat of her pyjama pants. Claire was ordered to stand and bare her bottom before the thrashing resumed. It only stopped when Claire's sobbing convinced Step-Daddy that the girl had learned her lesson. (For a little while, at least).